Behavioral Systems Theory Utilization and Application

Behavioral Systems Theory Utilization and Application A body or collection of knowledge that is of most use in giving definitions and explanation to the profession of nursing is referred to as a nursing theory. Theories are based on assumptions made up of models, concepts, definitions, and propositions. Croyle (2005) defines a good theory as one that is logical, supported by a past research in the same field, consistent with everyday observations. Florence Nightingale is seen as the forerunner of nursing theories although she never really came up with any theory in action today. She wrote a book about her nursing experiences giving way to numerous nursing theories. This paper is about the utilization and application of a nursing theory in addressing a clinical issue. Of particular interest is Dorothy Johnsons Behavioral systems model (Johnson, 1980). This paper attempts to identify a clinical problem in the society and apply the principles of Johnsons theory in finding the solution to the problem. The issue identified is aggressive beha vior in the elderly living in long-term care nursing homes. In the nursing profession, theories form a very vital part of the system. The main aim of nursing theories is description, explanation, and prediction of nursing phenomenon. A good theory in this field therefore ensures better patient care, professionalism, and better communication between nurses and above all provides guidance on further research and education in the field. A good theory has provisions for foundations of the nursing practice to help in the generation of further knowledge and giving good direction to the field. A theory shows what we already know and what we need to find out thus in nursing, it plays a central role in caring for patients. Theories thus go a long way in the development of the profession. Dorothy Johnson is the proponent of the Behavioral Systems model. Born in Georgia on the 21st of august 1919, she received her A.A in 1938 from Armstrong Junior College. In 1942, she graduated from the Vanderbilt University with a B.S.N. she got her M.P.H. from Harvard University in 1948. She was involved in teaching pediatric nursing at Vanderbilt University before joining the University of California in Los Angeles. Johnson (1980) states that the eight subsystems of behavior are interdependent, interactive and integrated at the same time. According to her, humans are behavioral systems made up of the following seven subsystems: the achievement deals with setting and attaining goals while the affinitive forms relationships with others. The aggressive/protective has the function of responding to threats and providing protection to ones self while the dependency subsystem obtains necessary feedback about the self and goes ahead to recognize the need to depend on others. Whereas the eliminative part expresses feelings to the outside world and is involved in the elimination of wastes from the body system, the ingestive is involved in the intake of the ever so valuable nutrients and acquiring knowledge. The sexual subsystem is for recreation, development of gender based identity and having sexual relationships with others. In other words, the seven subsystems need to be in good conditions and in actio n for a normal healthy human being. Interaction between the seven subsystems is in turn interrelated and connected such that they influence each other in delivering their various duties. However, the seven subsystems do not go it alone as they are also acted on, significantly, by external factors. For Johnson, the environment is the main external factor as it includes anything and everything outside the person in question. The physical, socio-cultural and to some extent even the economic factors form part of the external actors on the subsystems. Aggressive behavior is a social issue and the society forms the major part of the external environment. The main role played by nurses is thus helping the affected individual return to the normal balance of the seven subsystems. To achieve the possible ultimate functioning behavior, the nurses at the care facilities have to make the social environment of the patients comfortable so they feel at ease. When the subsystem fails to develop fully and/or does not get sufficient supply of something, it easily falls out of balance. At other times there is discrepancy meaning that the subsystem is not doing enough to attain the end goal, which is being in the best state. Conflict between the components of the subsystem is not good for the body just as much as one of the subsystems being dominant in action over the rest. They are the major causes of imbalance in the subsystem that results in people not feeling well and consequently falling ill. In the case of aggressive behavior, the aggressive subsystem is dominant over the other subsystems. When this energy is not channeled in the right direction clinical issues arise. These can be witnessed in form of violence, or aggressive language (Croyle, 2005). Regulation of behavior is the best way for the person to get back the balance hence is well again. The nurses at the care facilities for the elderly have to pay attention to any changes in the behavior of their patients. Alteration of the internal as well as external environment while n some cases stimulation of the recovery process goes a long way in aiding the patient to return to the normal balance. The unfamiliar environment in the facilities sometimes causes aggressive behavior, especially amongst the elderly in the care facilities. Elderly people at the facilities need the nurses to help with the aggressive behavior (Croyle, 2005). It is Johnsons belief that the basic responsibility of the nurse is to support the patient restore balance when lost and in case of imbalance then, achieve the status quo, which would mean return to normal balance. Nurses, therefore, need to be patient with patients with aggressive behavior if they are to get to the cause of the problem. Most aggressive behavior is caused by anger and emotional stress. It is thus upon the nurse to create conducive external environment for the patient to open up. Thanks to research and the advancement of science, it is now easier to identify and pinpoint where the problem comes from. In her analysis and development of the theory, Johnson did not fail to mention the contribution and effects of the environment to the body. Here the environment is divided into external and internal, the internal being the subsystems while the external include anything outside the body. On health, the theory holds that a healthy person is one with a perfect balance and stability in the operations of the seven subsystems. The nurse has a role to play in the regulation of the balance whenever there is instability in the system. External and internal environments are the main causes of aggression or aggressive behavior. Various parts of the body contribute differently to aggressive behavior. The brain is the major controller of aggressive behavior. The brain is in charge of controlling expression of both automatic and behavioral components of aggression. This includes violent behavior and vocal expression. The brain picks up signals from both the external and internal environments and expresses them in form of aggression. Whenever the individual feels threatened or uncomfortable, they become aggressive in their talk, throwing insults, and demeaning words. It becomes worse when they turn violent to release the anger they have inside. By elderly people, we mean those from the age of 65 and above, most of which have retired. These people are normally seen as a bother to their loved ones as their needs increase from the normal. They thus need more care which cannot be provided at home so they are often taken to nursing homes where they can get the proper care. Because of old age and stress from retirement. These people have difficulty coping with the changes around them and their behavior changes. Some become aggressive while others develop mental problems making long-term nursing homes the best to take proper care of these individuals. There are numerous long-term care facilities ranging from mental institutions for the mentally handicapped to nursing homes where there are available facilities to assist them in their daily livelihoods. Most of these facilities are homes to the elderly and those with terminal illnesses. Of the seven subsystems, the aggressive part of their systems is more active than the rest. They thus face life-changing issues and try their level best to deal with the emotional as well as mental challenges. Nurses in these facilities are particularly faced with dealing with mental issues that come with aggression. Behavioral problems often arise from the patients effort to deal with his emotions or simply express them. The behavior ranges from repeating questions or phrases, humming, pacing up and down, to repetitive behavior. Aggressive behavior includes throwing things, punishing language and even hitting (Parker, 2001). Nurses in these institutions have to pay keen attention to such aggressive behavior and identify which of the seven subsystems is not functioning properly thus help these patients restore balance in their systems. It could be dependence, the attachment, or the aggressive causing a change in behavior. The dependence in the sense that the patient who was used to taking care of himself now finds it frustrating when he has to rely on others for all his needs. The attachment comes in when the patient struggles to form new relationships at the care facilities and being kept away from the existing relationships. Normally the patient plays a role in the behavioral system model of treatment but in dealing with mental complications, especially the ones accompanied by aggressive behavior. Most of the effort is required from the part of the nurse who has to be patient with the patient. Ones the subsystem causing the change in behavior has been identified, the nurse goes ahead to ensure conducive external environment to aid the patient to full recovery. The patient has to feel comfortable in the care facility because any irritation or discomfort agitates them. The patient is incapable of controlling their feelings or emotions and may be aggressive in expressing what they feel. The nurse therefore has a duty to stimulate the internal environment to be peaceful through the external. It is not easy to take care of mentally ill patients because the problem lies within their minds. The best way to help the patient is by finding out what changed in their past behavior. What happened before they became ill is crucial in determining the problem and adjusting the environment in an attempt to direct the patient to recovery of the balance in the subsystem. Depression is one of the commonest common mental-health problems in health facilities. Loneliness, fear of death, helplessness, frustration, anger, and hopelessness are some of the challenges of post-retirement faced by the elderly. Depression has many symptoms one of them having trouble falling asleep (Parker, 2001). These symptoms are often seen as complications and most people try treating them instead of observing change of behavior in the individual and restoring balance. Depression can be solved by improving the external environment of the patient. Mavis et al (2011) states that anti-depressants are available and can be used to treat depression. He continues to state that the elderly always have difficulties with their carers thus adding more problems to the recovery process. The nurse should involve the patient in support groups; give medication to stimulate recovery of the internal environment, and involving them in activities that spark their interests. Individual therapy and interaction with loved ones is vital for the recovery of these patients. Depression is a mental complication and just like others, it affects the mind. The nurses have a responsibility to try to stimulate the mind in the right direction to encourage quick recovery and development of the mental system. Mavis (2011) confirms that some of the causes of depression include illness, loneliness, an adverse life-event, and even some medication. According to him, depression is an insight to more cognitive problems that the elderly have to deal with. This is where the environment comes in. the internal, (subsystems), have to be kept in balance. The external environment helps the patient fit in properly and be free with the nurses. The patient opens up easily to discuss problems when the surrounding is to his comfort. Nurses have to help them fit in to the care centers. In conclusion, the behavioral system theory is very useful in the treatment of mental illnesses. The mind is affected by the bodys subsystems and ensuring restoration of balance in the subsystems will go a long way in treatment of mental illnesses especially among the elderly. Not being able to express their feelings to the carers is a big problem to the resolution of aggressive behavior. Improving their environment and making the patient comfortable calms them down and thus improve the internal environment as well.

Loss of Innocence in Heart of Darkness Essay -- Heart Darkness essays

Loss of Innocence in Heart of Darkness      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Heart of Darkness is Joseph Conrad's tale of one man's journey, both mental and physical, into the depths of the wild African jungle and the human soul. The seaman, Marlow, tells his crew a startling tale of a man named Kurtz and his expedition that culminates in his encounter with the "voice" of Kurtz and ultimately, Kurtz's demise. The passage from Part I of the novel consists of Marlow's initial encounter with the natives of this place of immense darkness, directly relating to Conrad's use of imagery and metaphor to illustrate to the reader the contrast between light and dark. The passage, although occurring earlier on in the novel, is interspersed with Marlow's two opposing points of view: one of naà ¯vetà ©, which comes before Marlow's eventual epiphany after having met Kurtz, and the matured perspective he takes on after all of the events leading up to his and Kurtz's encounter.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Almost immediately after the start of the passage, the reader is exposed to the prejudices of the white inhibitors. The indigenous people of the area are repeatedly compared to animals, dehumanizing them and depriving them of the common respect that all people deserve, regardless of race or creed. On page 24, Marlow says "A lot of people, mostly black and naked, moved about like ants." Reinforcing this idea, he lends them other animal-like qualities, calling the sickly ones "creatures" and describing their movements as being "off on all fours...to drink," and even the act of drinking is described as the native having "lapped out of his hand," reminiscent of something a dog would do (28).      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Another interesting employment of language used by... ...s of the jungle, which sought to swallow him whole like the snake devouring its prey, sending it deeper within its body digesting it by stripping it of its layers one by one, paralleling the snake-like qualities of the river that drew Marlow deeper and deeper into its dark nothingness. And just like the Ancient Mariner, who is doomed to tell his tale for the rest of his life for the sake of penitence, Marlow, too, seems to retell his story of the tragic loss of innocence, of death and rebirth. Regardless of how many times the story had been told before it got to the narrator who eventually transcribed the events, it is one of great importance. It tells us that we must not judge a book by its cover, regardless of how convinced we may be of what is inside.    Works Cited Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness. New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1994.    Loss of Innocence in Heart of Darkness Essay -- Heart Darkness essays Loss of Innocence in Heart of Darkness      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Heart of Darkness is Joseph Conrad's tale of one man's journey, both mental and physical, into the depths of the wild African jungle and the human soul. The seaman, Marlow, tells his crew a startling tale of a man named Kurtz and his expedition that culminates in his encounter with the "voice" of Kurtz and ultimately, Kurtz's demise. The passage from Part I of the novel consists of Marlow's initial encounter with the natives of this place of immense darkness, directly relating to Conrad's use of imagery and metaphor to illustrate to the reader the contrast between light and dark. The passage, although occurring earlier on in the novel, is interspersed with Marlow's two opposing points of view: one of naà ¯vetà ©, which comes before Marlow's eventual epiphany after having met Kurtz, and the matured perspective he takes on after all of the events leading up to his and Kurtz's encounter.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Almost immediately after the start of the passage, the reader is exposed to the prejudices of the white inhibitors. The indigenous people of the area are repeatedly compared to animals, dehumanizing them and depriving them of the common respect that all people deserve, regardless of race or creed. On page 24, Marlow says "A lot of people, mostly black and naked, moved about like ants." Reinforcing this idea, he lends them other animal-like qualities, calling the sickly ones "creatures" and describing their movements as being "off on all fours...to drink," and even the act of drinking is described as the native having "lapped out of his hand," reminiscent of something a dog would do (28).      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Another interesting employment of language used by... ...s of the jungle, which sought to swallow him whole like the snake devouring its prey, sending it deeper within its body digesting it by stripping it of its layers one by one, paralleling the snake-like qualities of the river that drew Marlow deeper and deeper into its dark nothingness. And just like the Ancient Mariner, who is doomed to tell his tale for the rest of his life for the sake of penitence, Marlow, too, seems to retell his story of the tragic loss of innocence, of death and rebirth. Regardless of how many times the story had been told before it got to the narrator who eventually transcribed the events, it is one of great importance. It tells us that we must not judge a book by its cover, regardless of how convinced we may be of what is inside.    Works Cited Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness. New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1994.   

Comparison Between Japan and America in Education

Every country perceives the importance of education. Any country that keeps their people uneducated or does not help to educate cannot make them as a responsible person. America and Japan both feel very strongly about education and that they need to have well educated people. Both of these countries have educational systems that are similar in some ways and yet very different in other ways. In order to understand the education between the two countries, it is useful to compare the system of the failure, school uniform, and entrance examination.First of all, there is a difference from the system of the failure between Japan and America. America adopts the system of the failure from the elementary school. When the teacher decides that the student should take the grade again because of his or her inadequate understanding for the class, the student must take the same curriculum. On the other hand, Japan does not adopt the system from the elementary school. The system is used from the hig h school. In Japan, the compulsory education is from the elementary school to the junior high school.Inside the period, the system of failure is not applied. In the case of the failure in Japan, thirty percent is the deadline in each test. In the system of the failure of the two countries, the primary education and the secondary education are completely different. However, from the higher education, the system is the same. Not only the system of failure, but also the school uniform is another difference. In Japan, almost all students wear the school uniform every day from elementary school to high school.It’s good for students themselves because they do not need to worry about their cloths every day. Their parents also do not care about the cost of the cloths. In contrast, almost all students in America do not wear the school uniform. Some private schools adopt the school uniform, but it is rare to see the uniform in America. As for the school uniform, there is no similarity. Furthermore, there are the difference and similarity in the entrance examination.In Japan, a lot of universities depend on the written test to measure the student’s academic ability. On the other hand, in America, many universities make a point of the student’s character. The essay is one of the good ways to make students express their own opinions. Although Japanese universities adopt the written test in the entrance examination, many high schools use the creative tests in the entrance examination to measure the students’ character. One of the good examples is the interview.Interviewer can know their character soon. Similarly, American schools use the telephone interview. In the entrance examination, there are the same ways and difference ways in the two countries. Although there are many similarities and differences between the educational systems of Japan and America, it is hard to declare that one is better than the other. It is useful to compare the educat ional system of the failure, school uniform, and entrance examination to understand the education between Japan and America.

Unemployment in Australia Through a Conflict Perspective.

Unemployment is a social problem in Australia, which affects a majority of society in many ways. Not only can it cause financial debt to families, but from there it can cause family breakdowns, social isolation, shame and it can even lead to violence. The Conflict theory perspective explains how unemployment can be caused by class and power by focusing on the inequality within society. The inequality sequentially predicts that the poorer members of society struggle to find employment, to be able to get education to find suitable employment and are. A social problem is an issue that is defined by society to be exactly that; an issue. This can range from issues such as murder; which is commonly agreed on in Australia, or to issues such as†¦show more content†¦The structure of society under the conflict theorists’ views defines distinctions between different classes. The power and authority taken by the upper class, by the rich and mighty, causes inevitably problems within the lower class of society. Deviance, crime, violence and poverty are what the lower class of society was becoming. Unemployment is a large issue within the lower class of society; this is due to the classes that have money; use it for education and to further their skills. The classes within society who are able to obtain better and further education to advance their skills are the ones that employees are seeking for their workplaces. The inequality between the classes is what creates the unemployed and the circle that they are currently sitting in. In Australia there is a consensus that think that the unemployed don’t want to work and are not willing to find work; this claiming that they are lazy and conning the government for benefits (if they receive them). However, not all unemployed actually enjoy being without a job to survive and struggle with not having enough job opportunities, not being able to work due to lack of qualifications and not willing to take a job that will lead them to deficit (Csoba, 2010). Looking at it from a conflict theorist’s point of view it is people who have the money and the power that generate these limitations that unemployed members of society face. ForShow MoreRelatedThe Social Problems in Communities 1624 Words   |  7 Pagessocieties include; inequality, unemployment, crime, poverty, drugs and substance abuse, illiteracy, religious extremism, immigration, political related violence and overpopulation. The investigations of social problems in the society often lead to sociological findings. The investigation and research results provide a better understanding of the society that one lives in and develop ways to deal with social problems. The social problems in communities may lead to conflict, which results to hostilityRead MoreUnemployment from a functionalist and conflict perspective2206 Words   |  9 PagesSmith Holborn 1999). For this reason, unemployment is an issue which sociologists delve. Unemployment has far reaching affects in all areas of society. Stratification in the areas of age, race, class, gender, ethnicity, sex and disability is rife amongst the employed and unemployed alike, unemployment creates further segregation amongst these already stratified people. This essay will look at unemployment from the functional and conflict theory perspective, as well how four main institutions (familyRead MoreSocial Theories Are A Product Of Their Time1623 Words   |  7 Pa geshypotheses phenomena such as why is there more crime in one area than another, is it due to unemployment or ethnicity. (Social theory applied, 2014) Auguste Comte was the first person who advanced the field of social science which formed â€Å"Sociology†, which then influenced the three founding fathers and their theories including: Karl Marx, Max Weber and Emilie Durkheim. Karl Marx’s theory was based on social conflict which looked at the differences between the capitalist and proletariats (rich and poor)Read MoreThe Hunger Games By Max Weber1437 Words   |  6 Pagessocial inequalities of large groups of people within a particular society. The Hunger Games (2012) is a film that demonstrates this through amplifying how the power of the rich members in a polarised society are taking control of the poor and separating them in different districts which create specific social rankings. This essay will use the perspective of conflict theory to examine how Australian society is also effected by social stratification and therefore divided in social classes which effectsRead MoreDifference Between The And Australia1390 Words   |  6 PagesMarch quarter 2015 Australia 2.3% 0.9% United States 2.9% 0.14966% (≈0.150%) (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2015) (Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce, 2015) There is a slight difference in growth change over the past year for the US and Australia (by 0.6%). The difference between the respective levels of growth over the December quarter 2014 – March quarter 2015 is greater (0.89). Overall, economic growth patterns are similar between the US and Australia. b. Seasonally AdjustedRead MorePrior To European Invasion And Settlement, Aboriginal Australians1590 Words   |  7 Pagesthe living and non-living entities and creator beings. If the land was not cared for, it got sick, and so would all other beings related to the land, including the people (Anderson et al, 2006). Tenure of management was dictated by law, passed down through the Dreaming and Ancestors, and was practiced to ensure balance and to maintain health. The balance ensured a variable access to nutritional diets high in protein and complex carbohydrates (Mackean Watson, 2004). Aboriginal lifestyles limited theRead MoreTerrorism : Terrorism And Terrorism1586 Words   |  7 Pagesthat is terrorism. Terrorism is related extremism, as terrorist people are extremists in their belief. Biggest terrorist group like ISIS is also an Islamic extremist group. In these years we have observed shameful actions in the name of religion. Conflicts between religious groups around the world are happening. They are killing people without mercy. Those religious extremists are prepared to fight with hesitation and die with no regret. So we can’t just tell that extremism is not a big global threatRead MoreDescription Of An Seasonally Adjusted Data1668 Words   |  7 PagesMarch quarter 2015 Australia 2.3% 0.9% United States 2.9% 0.14966% (≈0.150%) (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2015) (Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce, 2015) There is a slight difference in growth change over the past year for the US and Australia (by 0.6%). The difference between the respective levels of growth over the December quarter 2014 – March quarter 2015 is greater (0.89). Overall, economic growth patterns are similar between the US and Australia. b. Seasonally AdjustedRead MoreDignity and Maximum Participation1580 Words   |  7 Pageshave the feeling of unworthy. Society discriminates those by looking down on and judging those who are or have been incarcerated. Structurally the functions of the courts, prisons, families and media all come into play. From the functionalist perspective the roles played by these systems are to persecute and imprison those who have broken the law and behaviour in ways which are socially unacceptable. Media portray those as deviants without the whole picture affecting the individual, society andRead MoreBerri Pure Fruit Juice Case1499 Words   |  6 Pagesproduct. This includes decisions on the product’s design, labeling and packing, its advertising and promotion. Then Berri has to decide which strategy it wants to follow for its market entry, whether it wants to export direct or indirect from Australia to Taiwan. This is associated with the choice of their import strategy in the Taiwanese market meaning the distribution within Taiwan. Thereafter the price driving elements of the company’s market entry have to be chosen, the company finally decides